The disease primarily impacts cucumbers and watermelons, but other cucurbits can also serve as hosts. Its symptoms consist of leaf spots, defoliation and an occasional fruit lesion. It can also spread in the fruit bins after harvest, which makes it more difficult to control.
UGA Extension
Excessive Spring rain challenged watermelon crop
Early onset of foliar diseases, like downy mildew and gummy stem blight with a little bit of anthracnose made this an expensive spray year.
Late Georgia watermelon crop faces challenges
Watermelon diseases respond to weather conditions consistent with heavy moisture which was the case in Georgia recently. Tissue samples from fields are being analysed for Gummy stem blight and Fusarium. Disease management is going to be imperative.
Plant Pathologist confirms Downy mildew in Georgia cucumber field
Cucurbit growers are advised to scout for symptoms in their fields and apply a protective fungicide spray.
Georgia watermelon plantings delayed
South Georgia watermelon producers are behind in their plantings this spring. Excessive rains are the reason.
Whitefly-transmitted viruses can devastate cucurbits
Whiteflies are responsible for transmitting multiple viruses, including cucurbit leaf crumple virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus. According to University of Georgia crop loss estimates for fall 2017, these viruses caused between 30% and 50% crop loss in squash and cucumbers and nearly 80% crop loss in snap beans that year.
Carolina Strongback watermelon rootstock tolerant of Fusarium
A costly but effective option for watermelon producers hoping to overcome fusarium wilt disease is the use of Carolina Strongback rootstock.
Anthracnose and Downy mildew disease symptoms in watermelons
Growers should consult Extension personnel when deducing what problem they might have. A wrong diagnosis could have financial repercussions.
